There are two types of first round draft prospect. Those that truly warrant the grade — and those who go in the first round anyway. Last year teams probably gave out between 12-16 legit first round grades.
There’s certainly potential for more this year — but not much more.
It’s still very early but this is how I see things at the start of December:
Possible ‘genuine’ first round prospects
Quarterback (1)
Paxton Lynch (Memphis)
Offensive line (4)
Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss), Shon Coleman (Auburn), Taylor Decker (Ohio State), Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
Wide receiver (3)
Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss), Michael Thomas (Ohio State), Corey Coleman (Baylor)
Defensive line (3)
Joey Bosa (Ohio State), Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss), DeForest Buckner (Oregon)
Linebacker (3)
Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame), Myles Jack (LB, UCLA), Darron Lee (Ohio State)
Defensive backs (4)
Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU), Jaylen Ramsey (CB/S, Florida State), Cameron Sutton (CB, Tennessee), Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
Total: 21
Prospects who possibly miss out on legit first round grades that could go in the first frame anyway
Quarterback (1)
Jared Goff (California)
Running back (1)
Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
Wide receiver (2)
De’Runnya Wilson (Mississippi State), Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh)
Offensive line (2)
Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame), Germain Ifedi (Texas A&M)
Defensive line (3)
A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama), Adolphus Washington (Ohio State), Andrew Billings (Baylor)
Linebacker (1)
Reggie Ragland (Alabama)
Defensive back (2)
Mackensie Alexander (Clemson), Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Total: 12